Couldnt put in a foley!!

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So it was my first day on the job as a nurse tech and I tried to put in a foley on a female patient twice and failed both times. Im kinda bumbed out about it. Any tips on easier ways on inserting on a female? Anyone have a similar experience?

Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

When you are swabbing with the betadine, I always use the last one to swab and wait for the "wink". That will let you know where it is. As many many other posters have said, the female anatomy varies from pt to pt. Just keep practicing...take your time and you will get it! ~Cheers, Ivanna

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Just something to tuck away for later. i had to do a U&A on a patient. I could not get any urine return and had another nurse help me. Turns out the pt was so dehydrated she was bone dry. When I came back about an hour or so more after atleast 500 - 1000ml of LR she had 10ml of output. go figure.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab.

Do not feel bad. I'm getting my associate degree, am getting ready to do my last sem. of school and still haven't placed a catheter yet. Most of the students in my clinical rotation have done one. It just never came up. I was told by one of my instructors that she has never had to place a foley and she's been a nurse for over 20 years. So you all ready have an experience that she doesn't.

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what is a nurse tech ? and i thought catheterization was only performed by licensed nurses.

for me it like a nurse externship.

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Leslie;youv'e cleaned the area w/ betadine,& as you say,your in the urethra(sometimes,your just not sure,cuz everyones anatomy, there,is different. Some people's actually go upward,not staight or down, (meatus,) which is why I go upward slightly, If it continues to go upward,well there ya go!So, no break in sterility,the flora there lived quite well w/o a sterile cath comin in

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Specializes in LDRP.

I always look for a "wink" when I swab w/ the betadine--basically the betadine will pool in the urethra for a sec after you clean it and marks the spot!

Good luck--you'll get it w/ practice.

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I put one in today!!! Thanks for all the tips!!!

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